Exercise may boost brain recovery after concussion
NCT ID NCT06494592
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether different types of physical exercise can help adults recover from a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). 37 adults who had a concussion within the past year took part in a 3-month program of either balance or aerobic exercises. Researchers measured changes in thinking skills, memory, and brain scans to see if exercise aids recovery.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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37 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 55 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Suffered from a clinically diagnosed mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) within 1 year of injury. \*All potential participants who do not have an official concussion diagnosis from a physician or were not recruited directly from Concussion and Brain Injury clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) will have a phone-based consultation with a trained neurologist from BIDMC to confirm a diagnosis of mTBI, (i.e. any loss of consciousness of up to 30 mins, any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the accident for as much as 24h, any alteration in mental state at the time of the accident and a Glasgow coma score of 13 to 15) (Marshall et al., 2012) per a reliance agreement between Beth Israel Deaconess medical center and northeastern university. * Men and women of all ethnicities/races and socio-economic status. * 18-55 years. * Signed Informed consent. * Physically fit enough to undergo exercise as screened using the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and the cardiovascular section of the Health History \& Demographics Questionnaire. An affirmative response (i.e., "yes") to any single item regarding an individual's health status is grounds for the necessary medical clearance before enrollment. * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision based on the minimal 20/20 standard in order to complete the cognitive tasks (below 20/20 vision). * Able to speak, read, and write English. * Ambulatory without pain or the assistance of walking devices. * Reliable means of transportation. * No diagnosis of a neurological disease. * MRI compatible. * No brain bleeds. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a moderate-to-severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Score of 3-12) or the presentation of skull breach and/or presence of known subdural hematoma. * Prior diagnosis of cognitive or physical disability (severe asthma, epilepsy, chronic kidney disease, and dependence upon a wheelchair/walking aid). * Not fluent in English. * Not medically cleared for exercise. * Not MRI compatible. * No history of vasovagal episodes. (sudden drops in heart rate, poor perfusion, constant dizziness) * History of brain bleeds or strokes. * Neurological condition (MS, Parkinson's, Dementia, MCI). * Current treatment for congestive heart failure, angina, uncontrolled arrhythmia, deep-vein thrombosis or other cardiovascular events. * Myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, angioplasty or other cardiac conditions in the past year. * Regular use of an assisted walking device.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, 02120, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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